$237 Million Paid On Antitrust Settlement, But Some UFC Fighters Are Still Waiting Here Is Why

More than $237 million of the $375 million UFC antitrust settlement has already reached former fighters — but roughly 10% of eligible claimants are still waiting. Lead counsel Berger Montague confirmed the payment figures on April 1, 2026 and disclosed the specific legal, regulatory, and personal circumstances holding up the remaining funds. If you competed in the UFC between December 16, 2010 and June 30, 2017 and have not yet received your payment, this article explains exactly what may be causing the delay and what you can do.

Field	Detail
Case Name	Le v. Zuffa, LLC (d/b/a Ultimate Fighting Championship)
Case Number	2:15-cv-01045-RFB-BNW
Court	U.S. District Court, District of Nevada
Judge	Honorable Richard F. Boulware II
Settlement Amount	$375,000,000
Final Approval Date	February 6, 2025 (written order March 3, 2025)
Class Period	December 16, 2010 – June 30, 2017
Total Eligible Fighters	1,121
Claimants Receiving Payment	1,088 (97% participation rate)
Amount Paid to Date	$237,386,515.53
Claimants Paid So Far	984 fighters in 44 countries
Average Payout	~$250,000
Highest Individual Payout	$10.3 million (Anderson Silva)
Settlement Administrator	Angeion Group LLC
Lead Counsel	Berger Montague PC; Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC; Joseph Saveri Law Firm, Inc.
Official Case Website	ufcclassaction.com

Where things stand right now:

• Over 90% of the eligible fighters expecting payouts have already been paid, with Berger Montague confirming $237,386,515.53 distributed to 984 claimants in 44 countries.
• The remaining funds cover approximately 100 fighters who have not yet been paid. Berger Montague has publicly explained the reasons for each category of delay.
• A separate, related antitrust lawsuit — Johnson v. Zuffa — covering fighters who competed from July 1, 2017 to the present is ongoing and unaffected by this settlement. That case has not settled.

Twelve Years of Fighting, One Settlement, and Most Fighters Finally Paid

The Le v. Zuffa case started in December 2014 when a group of current and former UFC fighters — including Cung Le, Jon Fitch, Brandon Vera, Nate Quarry, and Kyle Kingsbury — sued the UFC’s parent company, Zuffa LLC, in federal court in Nevada. The complaint accused the UFC of running what antitrust lawyers call a monopsony: a market where one buyer controls the labor supply and uses that power to suppress what it pays workers.

The fighters claimed that the UFC used improper strategies to dominate the market for MMA fighter services, allowing it to pay its fighters less than half as much as they otherwise would have received, and that it violated the antitrust laws to the detriment of all MMA fighters. After a decade of litigation, document battles, class certification hearings, and a settlement negotiation that nearly failed — a federal judge initially rejected a lower $335 million offer — the parties reached a final $375 million agreement.

U.S. District Judge Richard F. Boulware granted final approval of the deal on February 6, 2025, six months after saying he wanted a deal that would return “life-changing” money to the plaintiffs. Disbursements began in September 2025. By early April 2026, the vast majority of fighters had been paid — but a meaningful group remains in limbo.

Related article: $8M Wayland Group Securities Settlement, If you held WEED or Maricann stock from Dec. 2017 to Aug. 2019, file Claim by August 20, 2026

You Competed in the UFC Between 2010 and 2017 — This Is What Your Share Looked Like

The settlement fund covers fighters who participated in UFC events staged or broadcast in the United States from December 16, 2010 through June 30, 2017. Payouts were not equal — they were calculated based on each fighter’s actual compensation during the class period.

The formula uses 32.7% of fighter compensation during the eligible period, ensuring that both star fighters and consistent workhorses are rewarded. Here is how the distribution broke down:

• Approximately 35 elite claimants received individual payouts exceeding $1 million, averaging $250,000 across the class.
• The projected average payout is $230,792, with a median of $85,949. The smallest payment, for a fighter with a single $6,000 bout, is $16,122. The highest payment — $10.3 million — belongs to former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.
• Based on disclosed earnings for other top fighters, Conor McGregor’s settlement payment is estimated at $9 million and Ronda Rousey’s at approximately $6 million.

The 97% participation rate — unprecedented in antitrust settlements administered by Angeion Group — dispelled earlier fears that fighters might hesitate to claim funds due to potential UFC retaliation.

Three Specific Reasons Your Payment May Not Have Arrived Yet

Berger Montague disclosed the following categories of delay in its April 2026 distribution update. If you or someone you know is a class member who has not been paid, one of these is likely the reason.

Government sanctions blocking international transfers. Seventeen fighters are currently unable to receive their funds because they reside in countries subject to sanctions governed by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which imposes strict prohibitions on sending funds to residents of sanctioned nations. These fighters earned their settlement money legitimately — the hold-up is a U.S. government compliance issue, not anything the fighter did wrong. Berger Montague is actively working to find legal pathways to deliver these funds.

Legal disputes over who receives the money. Ten fighters have not received funds due to outstanding legal issues, including competing claims on the distribution amounts from spouses or taxing authorities, or uncertainty about who is the rightful recipient of some or all of the funds. The most common reasons are that a class member has died without a will, or the fighter is divorced with legal child support obligations attached to the funds. Courts must resolve these disputes before distributions can proceed.

Estate and inheritance complications. Because the original lawsuit was filed in December 2014 — over a decade ago — some fighters who were eligible class members have died in the years since. When a claimant dies without a will or clear estate planning, the question of who inherits the settlement payment must be resolved through the appropriate probate or estate process before any funds can be released.

If You Are Waiting — What to Do Right Now

If you are an eligible class member who has not received your payment and you believe you fall into one of the categories above, contact lead counsel immediately:

Berger Montague PC Phone: 1-800-424-6690 Email: [email protected] (check bergermontague.com/ufc for current contact details) Official Case Website: ufcclassaction.com

Do not wait for the situation to resolve on its own. Berger Montague confirmed it is “working around the clock to distribute settlement payments to the remaining claimants” — but fighters in the delayed categories need to actively engage with counsel to help resolve the underlying issues, whether that means providing updated banking information, resolving a divorce or lien dispute, or working through an estate matter.

If you are an international fighter in a sanctioned country, legal options may exist but require attorney guidance specific to your circumstances.

What the UFC Agreed to — And What Is Still Being Fought Over in Court

The $375 million settlement did not end all UFC antitrust litigation. It only resolved claims from the 2010–2017 class period. Two significant lawsuits remain active.

Johnson v. Zuffa covers UFC fighters who competed from July 1, 2017 to the present. On February 25, 2026, plaintiffs in Johnson moved for severe sanctions over alleged document destruction, asking the court to issue a default judgment in their favor, claiming that TKO Operating Co. LLC — the UFC’s operating entity — along with Endeavor Group Holdings and Zuffa LLC together “destroyed years of critical evidence” and then schemed to cover up their actions. That motion is pending.

A third case — Davis v. Zuffa — was filed in 2025 on behalf of professional MMA fighters who competed for promotions other than the UFC, alleging that the UFC’s anticompetitive behavior suppressed pay across the entire sport, not just within the Octagon. Both cases are ongoing with no settlement in sight.

From First Lawsuit to Final Payment — The Full Timeline

Milestone	Date
Le v. Zuffa originally filed	December 2014
Class certified (fighters who competed 2010–2017)	August 9, 2023
Initial settlement offer ($335M) rejected by judge	August 2024
Revised $375M settlement agreed	September 27, 2024
Preliminary approval granted	October 2024
Final approval granted (Judge Boulware)	February 6, 2025
Written final approval order issued	March 3, 2025
Disbursements begin	September 2025
$237M paid to 984 claimants confirmed	February–April 2026
Remaining ~100 fighters still awaiting payment	April 2026
Full distribution complete	TBD
Johnson v. Zuffa (2017–present fighters)	Ongoing

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer to receive my UFC settlement payment? 

If you already submitted a valid claim and are simply waiting for payment, you do not need to hire your own lawyer. Berger Montague and its co-counsel are handling distribution on behalf of all class members. However, if your payment is delayed due to a lien, divorce dispute, estate issue, or international sanctions, you should contact class counsel directly — and potentially consult your own attorney to resolve the underlying legal complication.

Is the UFC settlement legitimate? 

Yes. The $375 million settlement in Le v. Zuffa, LLC, Case No. 2:15-cv-01045-RFB-BNW, was finally approved by U.S. District Judge Richard F. Boulware II on February 6, 2025 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada. It is one of the largest antitrust settlements in sports history. The claims administrator is Angeion Group LLC, and lead counsel is Berger Montague PC.

When will the remaining fighters receive their money? 

No specific date has been confirmed for the remaining approximately 100 fighters. Berger Montague has stated it is working to resolve each category of delay as quickly as possible, but some holdups — particularly OFAC sanctions and estate proceedings — involve third-party legal processes outside of counsel’s direct control. Fighters affected should contact counsel proactively.

What if I missed the claim deadline — can I still receive payment?

The claim submission deadline has passed. If you were an eligible class member and did not submit a claim, you likely forfeited your right to a settlement payment. Contact Berger Montague directly to determine whether any exceptions apply to your specific situation.

Will my UFC settlement payment affect my taxes? 

Almost certainly yes. Settlement payments in antitrust cases are generally treated as taxable income. The specific tax treatment — and the rate you owe — depends on your country of residence, your individual tax situation, and how the payment is classified. Consult a qualified tax professional in the year you receive your payment before filing your return. International fighters should consult a tax advisor familiar with both U.S. tax law and the laws of their home country.

I am a fighter in a sanctioned country — is there any hope of receiving my payment?

 Yes, but it requires working directly with class counsel. OFAC sanctions create legal barriers to direct wire transfers, but attorneys may be able to identify compliant pathways depending on your specific country and circumstances. Contact Berger Montague as soon as possible to discuss your options.

Does the Le v. Zuffa settlement affect fighters who competed after 2017? 

No. The Le v. Zuffa settlement covers only fighters who competed in UFC-promoted events between December 16, 2010 and June 30, 2017. Fighters who competed from July 1, 2017 to the present are part of the separate Johnson v. Zuffa case, which is still actively litigating and has not settled.

My manager is claiming part of my settlement check — are they entitled to it? 

Almost certainly not. The Mixed Martial Arts Fighters Association issued a public warning cautioning fighters that some managers may attempt to claim a percentage of their settlement checks — and current UFC stars including Aljamain Sterling and Derek Brunson insisted managers have no rightful claim to funds stemming from litigation they had no part in. If someone is attempting to take a portion of your settlement without a clear legal basis, consult an attorney immediately.

Sources

• Official Case Website: ufcclassaction.com
• Berger Montague Settlement Fund Distribution Update, April 2026: bergermontague.com/ufc
• Yahoo Sports / SB Nation, “UFC antitrust lawsuit payments totalling over $237 million paid to fighters,” April 1, 2026
• Law360, “UFC Fighters Get Final Approval for $375M Settlement,” February 6, 2025
• Yahoo Sports, “UFC Fighters are Finally Getting their Money: Antitrust Payouts Explained,” September 9, 2025
• Joseph Saveri Law Firm case page: saverilawfirm.com/our-cases/ufc

Last Updated: April 2, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.